Extraction unit with a shiftable multi-size cartridge receiver

ABSTRACT

An extraction unit ( 10 ) for extracting cartridges ( 1   a;   1   b ) of two different dimensions (da,ha;db,hb) comprises a seat ( 14,20 ) for receiving any of these cartridges ( 1   a;   1   b ) for extraction thereof in the seat. The seat is delimited by a first part ( 20,30,33 ) and second part ( 12,13,14 ) that are relatively movable between a cartridge extraction position and a cartridge loading and/or ejection position over a closure distance (Ca,Cb). The first delimiting part ( 20,30,33 ) is extendable and retractable for defining a cartridge cavity having selectively: —a first depth (Ha) for receiving a cartridge ( 1   a ) having a first height (ha); and —a second depth (Hb) different to this first depth (Ha) for receiving a cartridge ( 1   b ) having a second height (hb) different to this first height (ha). At least one of the delimiting parts ( 14,20 ) has a shifter ( 21,35,38 ) for compensating the extension and retraction of the first delimiting part ( 20,30,33 ) so as to maintain the closure distance (Ca) for the first member position equal to the closure distance (Cb) for the second member position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Stage of International ApplicationNo. PCT/EP2013/070756, filed on Oct. 7, 2013, which claims priority toEuropean Patent Application No. 12187718.7, filed on Oct. 9, 2012, theentire contents of which are being incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an extraction unit using cartridgesthat contain a beverage ingredient for preparing a beverage. Theextraction unit is arranged for receiving cartridges of different sizes.The invention also relates to a combination of such an extraction unitwith a cartridge and a use of a cartridge for such an extraction unit.

For the purpose of the present description, a “beverage” is meant toinclude any liquid food, such as tea, coffee, hot or cold chocolate,milk, soup, baby food, etc. . . . . A “cartridge” is meant to includeany pre-portioned beverage ingredient within an enclosing packaging ofany material, in particular an airtight packaging, e.g. plastic,aluminium, recyclable and/or biodegradable packagings, and of any shapeand structure, including soft pods or rigid capsules containing theingredient.

BACKGROUND ART

One problem encountered is the positioning of the cartridge in thedevice and the closing of the latter around the cartridge to perform thebrewing process. The cartridge usually has to be positioned by the useron a cartridge support or in a housing, then the device is closedmanually or automatically around the cartridge.

It is important to correctly position the cartridge so that the devicecloses correctly around the latter and a good seal is thus achieved toensure good conditions of extraction. Bad positioning may damage thecartridge, and thus affect the conditions of extraction. The loading ofthe cartridge must also be easy, without trial and error as to thecorrect position of the cartridge in the device. The loading must alsobe as rapid as possible and not require excessive manipulations. Hence,devices exist that propose the insertion of the cartridge in a verticalplane and the movement of the extraction or infusion parts along ahorizontal plane around the cartridge. Such systems have the advantagesof allowing a loading from the top piggy-bank fashion, and makes forrapid loading. The positioning of the cartridge is then taken over bythe movement of a movable part that pushes the cartridge against anotherpart such as a water heater. However, these devices are complex toproduce and are not suitable for low-cost and therefore entry-levelcoffee machines for the consumer market. They are therefore usuallyintended for the business market such as restaurants, bars orcommunities. For example, patent application WO 98/47418 relates to adevice for the extraction of pre-measured inserts in which the insertsare inserted vertically and are extracted horizontally. The disadvantageof this device is that it comprises two movable parts for theextraction, which makes the mechanical principle more complicated.

WO 2005/004683 relates to a cartridge brewing device comprising: a firstpart; a second part that can be moved relative to the first part; ahousing for the cartridge and defining, in a closed position of themovable part against the fixed part, an extraction position of thecartridge along an axis in said housing; an insertion and positioningpart comprising means for guiding the cartridge arranged so as to insertthe cartridge by gravity and position such cartridge in an intermediateposition; a drink pouring system; and the second movable part is soarranged and constructed to move the cartridge from the intermediateposition into the extraction position when the device is closed.

EP 1 721 553 discloses a brewing unit for coffee machines usingcartridges. The unit has a front part with a beverage outlet and a rearpart with a hot water inlet. The front part and the rear part aremounted in-between a pair of facing shoulder guide members. The frontpart is movable in-between these guide members to be urged against therear part so as to form with the rear part a brewing chamber foraccommodating a cartridge to be extracted, whereby an unoccupied volumeis left in front of the front member between the guide members withinthe machine.

EP 1 659 547 relates to a beverage machine for making infusions, inparticular, espresso coffee. The machine includes an infusion chamberwithin a brewing unit that has a movable front part with a return springand a beverage outlet duct that extends through the assembly's outerhousing. The movable front part cooperates with a rear part that ismovable within the housing and that can be pushed against the movablefront part to compress the return spring whereby the outlet duct slidesthrough the assembly's outer housing. The cartridge is passed throughthe external housing to the infusion chamber via a rigid cartridge feedchannel and then the cartridge is transferred into the infusion chamberby an external bushing on the movable rear part of the brewing unitwhich is provided with a cam-like path for moving the rear part. Thisarrangement involves several problems. The cartridge must be movedduring the closure of the brewing chamber and this can cause blockingand it also makes the retaining means of the pod more complex. Moreover,opening and closing the brewing chamber involves simultaneously a lineardisplacement of the movable rear part within the housing, of the movablefront part within the housing and of the outlet duct through the housingwhich increases the risk of hyper-guiding and jamming or improperalignment of the various parts that linearly move one relative toanother. The fluid system comprises a moving assembly which makes thefluid system more complex to assemble. When upon extraction brewing unitis re-opened for removing the cartridge, pressurized water containedwithin the infusion chamber may project outside the housing.Furthermore, an unoccupied volume is left within the machine between thefront member and the casing when the outlet duct is in its retractedposition.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,260,190 and WO 2005/072574 disclose a coffee machinehaving a removable drawer for positioning a coffee can therein. Thedrawer can be slid horizontally into the coffee machine and liftedtowards a water injection arrangement. WO 2006/023309 discloses a coffeemachine with a slidable drawer for the introduction of a coffeecartridge into the machine. The drawer is movable between an open and aclosed position and has two cartridge half-shells that are pivotableagainst each other to form a brewing chamber when the drawer is in theclosed position and pivotable apart when the drawer is slid out from themachine. U.S. Pat. No. 6,966,251 discloses a coffee machine having ahorizontally slidable drawer for positioning a cartridge therein. Whenslid into the machine, the drawer can be moved upwards towards a fixedcartridge cage for form a brewing chamber for a cartridge. EP 1 566 126discloses a coffee machine with a vertical brewing unit foraccommodating coffee pods. The brewing unit has a fixed upper part and amovable lower part for holding a pod and that can be pulled up forclosing the brewing unit and let down for inserting or removing a pod.

Further brewing units are disclosed in EP 0 730 425, EP 0 862 882, EP 1219 217, EP 1 480 540, EP 1 635 680, EP 1 669 011, EP 1 774 878, EP 1776 026, EP 1 893 064, FR 2 424 010, U.S. Pat. No. 3,260,190, U.S. Pat.No. 4,760,774, U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,152, U.S. Pat. No. 7,131,369, US2005/0106288, US 2006/0102008, WO 2005/002405, WO 2005/016093, WO2006/005756, WO 2006/066626 and WO 2007/135136.

A beverage preparation machine arranged to handle ingredient cartridgesof different sizes is disclosed in EP 1 208 782.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to an extraction unit forextracting cartridges of two different dimensions comprising a seat forreceiving any of such cartridges for extraction thereof in the seat. Theseat is delimited by a first part and second part that are relativelymovable over a closure distance between a cartridge extraction positionand a cartridge loading and/or ejection position. The first delimitingpart is extendable and retractable for defining a cartridge cavityhaving selectively:

-   -   a first depth for receiving a cartridge having a first height;        and    -   a second depth different to said first depth for receiving a        cartridge having a second height different to said first height,

In accordance with the invention, at least one of the delimiting partshas a shifter, in particular a motorized shifter having a motor, forcompensating the extension and retraction of the first delimiting partso as to maintain the closure distance for the first member positionequal to the closure distance for the second member position.

The first delimiting part may have a first member and a second memberthat delimit the cartridge cavity and that are relatively movable toretract and extend the first delimiting part between:

-   -   a first member position in which the cartridge cavity has a        first depth for receiving a cartridge having a first height; and    -   a second member position in which the cartridge cavity has a        second depth different to this first depth for receiving a        cartridge having a second height different to this first height.

The extraction unit may comprise an actuator, in e.g. a motorizedactuator having a motor, for relatively moving the first and secondmembers from the first to the second member position and/or vice versadepending on the dimension of a cartridge to be received in the seat andextracted. The actuator can comprise a depth selector for relativelymoving the first and second members from the first to the second memberposition and/or vice versa, the selector being movably mounted, e.g.rotatably or pivotally mounted, to one of these first and second membersand driving the other of these first and second members via a gearand/or cam transmission, e.g. via a helicoidal cam cooperating with acam-follower.

The shifter may include a closure selector connected to an actuator,such as a manual or motorized actuator, for relatively moving the firstand second parts between the cartridge extraction position and thecartridge loading and/or ejection position. The closure selector can berotatably or pivotally mounted in or at a periphery of its delimitingparts, the closure selector being in particular annularly mounted. Theclosure selector may have a gear and/or cam transmission, e.g. ahelicoidal cam cooperating with a cam-follower, for shifting itsdelimiting part relatively to the first and second part actuator.

For instance, the closure selector is fixed to or integral with thedepth selector. The closure selector may be fixed to the depth selectorby one or more axially extending peripheral arms, e.g. one or more armsextending over a support of one of these first and second parts such asa support for a motor of the closure selector and the depth selector.

The shifter and the actuator can be motorized by the same motor.

In one embodiment, the extraction unit further comprises a pair ofslides for guiding any of the cartridges towards the seat in a slidingcontact of each of the slides with a cartridge guide of thesecartridges. The slides may be configured to guide in sliding contact thecartridge guide in the form of at least one guide edge of saidcartridges, e.g. a protruding cartridge flange or rim. The slides may beconfigured such that:

-   -   each of the slides forms a recess for receiving a guide edge        protruding from the cartridges;    -   each of the slides forms a protrusion for being received in a        guide edge recessed in the cartridges; or    -   one of the slides forms such a recess and another of the slides        forms such a protrusion.

The slides may be relatively movable to be spaced apart selectively by:

-   -   a first distance for guiding towards the seat a first cartridge        of these cartridges having a cartridge guide of such a first        size as to be in sliding contact with both slides when spaced by        said first distance; and    -   a second distance for guiding towards the seat a second        cartridge of these cartridges having a cartridge guide of such a        second size as to be in sliding contact with both slides when        spaced by said second distance.        In this case, the first distance and first size are different,        respectively, to the second distance and second size.

At least one of these slides may be delimited by a member that ismovable relative to the other slide by an actuator in accordance withthe size of the cartridge guide of a cartridge to be guided by theslides. The actuator of the slides may be coordinated, e.g. mechanicallyand/or electrically, with the shifter, optionally the actuator of theslides and of the shifter have a common drive arrangement such as acommon motor.

The invention also relates to a combination of an extraction unitcomprising a seat as described above and a cartridge having a dimensionselected from at least two different dimensions of cartridges receivablein such a seat. The seat is delimited by a first part and second partwhich are relatively movable between a cartridge extraction position anda cartridge loading and/or ejection position. The first delimiting partis extendable and retractable for defining a cartridge cavity (cartridgereceptacle) having selectively:

-   -   a first depth for receiving a cartridge having a first height;        and    -   a second depth different to the first depth for receiving a        cartridge having a second height different to the first height.

At least one of the delimiting parts has a shifter, e.g. a motorizedshifter having a motor, for compensating the extension and retraction ofthe first delimiting part so as to maintain the closure distance for thefirst member position equal to the closure distance for the secondmember position.

The cartridge may have a generally cup-shaped body, e.g. a receptaclefor containing an ingredient, that is extended on at least one side ofthe cartridge by a protruding cartridge guide, the cartridges ofdifferent dimensions differing by their heights and optionally by thedimensions of their cartridge guides.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a use, for providing acombination as described above, of a cartridge having a height selectedfrom at least two different heights of cartridges receivable in suchseat delimited by the first and second parts. The first delimiting partbeing extendable and retractable for defining a cartridge cavity havingselectively: a first depth for receiving a cartridge having a firstheight; and a second depth different to the first depth for receiving acartridge having a second height different to the first height. At leastone of the delimiting parts has a shifter, in particular a motorizedshifter having a motor, for compensating the extension and retraction ofthe first delimiting part so as to maintain the closure distance for thefirst member position equal to the closure distance for the secondmember position when the seat contains selectively the cartridge of thefirst height and a cartridge of the second height.

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear in thedescription of the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the schematicdrawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1a and 1b show two cartridges of different sizes for extraction inan extraction unit according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of three elements of a delimiting part of acartridge seat of an extraction unit according to the invention;

FIGS. 3a and 3b show a delimiting part of a cartridge seat of anextraction in two configurations, i.e. for receiving selectively a smallsize cartridge and a large size cartridge;

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate cross-sectional views of part of a seat of anextraction device for cartridges of different sizes in differentconfigurations according to the invention;

FIGS. 6a to 7c show perspective views of a part of an extraction devicein different configurations according to the invention; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate different elements of the extraction deviceshown in FIGS. 6a to 7 c.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention is now describedin relation with FIGS. 1 to 9.

The invention relates to a cartridge extraction device 10 and cartridges1 a and 1 b of different dimensions da,ha;db,hb that can be handled andextracted by such device 10. Such device 10 may include a number ofdifferent elements 12-39 and a frame 11 for supporting such elements.Extraction device 10 may be mounted in a beverage preparation machine asknown in the art, e.g. provided with the functionalities disclosed in WO2009/074550, e.g. a fluid line, a pump, a temperature conditioner suchas a heater and/or a cooler, a water tank or other ingredient feeder, awaste ingredient collector, etc. . . .

As illustrated in FIGS. 1a, 1b , 4 and 5 cartridges 1 a;1 b can have acup-shaped receptacle 2 a;2 b that have a generally cylindrical orfrusto-conical or frusto-domical shape, in particular combination ofdifferent sections with such shapes. Typically, receptacles 2 a;2 b havea frusto-conical obtuse bottom 3 a;3 b and a frusto-conical acute bodyextending from the bottom towards the mouth of receptacle 2 a;2 b. Themouth may be covered with a lid 4 a;4 b. The entire or only part of thelid may be applied to the receptacle; or the entire lid may be formedintegrally with the receptacle. Such a lid, e.g. an aluminium or plasticfoil, may extend laterally, typically beyond the mouth to form a flange5 a;5 b. Cartridges 1 a;1 b may generally have a shape of revolutionabout a longitudinal axis 6 a;6 b. Cartridges 1 a;1 b have a heightha,hb and a diameter da;db of flange 5 a;5 b. Other cartridge shapes arealso contemplated, in particular: the cartridge receptacle may be formedof a single section, e.g. (frusto-)conical, (frusto-)domical orcylindrical; the bottom may be generally flat or acute.

A cartridge 1 a of small dimensions ha,da is illustrated in FIG. 1a . Acartridge 1 b of large dimensions hb,db is illustrated in FIG. 1b . Theheight ha and the diameter da of cartridge 1 a are smaller than theheight hb and the diameter db, respectively, of cartridge 1 b. Cartridge1 b has in particular an additional receptacle section 2 b′, e.g. of agenerally frusto-domical shape. Such an additional receptacle sectionmay of course have different shapes, for instance a shape in thecontinuity of the receptacle.

Cartridge 1 b has a greater inner volume than cartridge 1 a and has thusmore space for containing an ingredient, e.g. a beverage ingredient suchas coffee, tea, cocoa, milk, etc. . . .

For instance, cartridge 1 a has a volume for containing 3-6 g groundcoffee for the preparation on a ristretto or espresso coffee. Cartridge1 b may have a volume for containing 5-10 g ground coffee for thepreparation of a lungo or americano coffee.

Cartridges 1 a;1 b may be used by circulating a liquid therethrough tomix it with an ingredient, e.g. a flavouring ingredient such as tea,coffee, cocoa, milk . . . and produce a beverage.

Liquid, e.g. heated or cold or cooled water, may be introduced at bottom3 a;3 b, circulated inside the cartridge between the bottom and lid 4a;4 b, e.g. generally along directions 6 a;6 b, and then collected atthe lid, or vice versa.

The bottom and/or the lid of the cartridge may be opened or closed priorto use. When they are both opened, liquid is simply circulated throughthe cartridge, e.g. under pressure such as from above 1.5 bar to 25 bar,to form the beverage in the cartridge and collect it outside thecartridge. When the bottom and/or the lid is closed prior to use, theopening thereof may be achieved: prior to circulating the liquid, e.g.the bottom may be pierced by introducing appropriate piercing elementsinto the bottom prior to water circulation as for example disclosed inWO 02/00073 or in WO 02/35977; or under the effect of the circulatingliquid, e.g. the lid may be torn open as for example disclosed in EP512468 or in EP 512470.

An embodiment according to the invention of a cartridge extraction unit10 and parts thereof with and without extractible cartridges 1 a and 1b, is illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 9.

Exemplary extraction unit 10 has a seat 14,20 for receiving any ofcartridges 1 a;1 b for extraction thereof in the seat. This seat isdelimited by a first part 20,30,33 and second part 12,13,14 that arerelatively movable between a cartridge loading and/or ejection position(FIGS. 4, 6 a, 6 b, 7 a and 6) and a cartridge extraction position (FIG.5).

For instance, extraction unit 10 comprises a piston-type extraction seatfor a cartridge having its own sealing member, as for instance describedin WO 2008/037642.

Parts 20,14 are mounted in a frame 11 as illustrated in FIGS. 6a to 7c .For example, frame 11 includes a pair of facing frame plates 11. One ofor both parts 20,14 can be movably mounted to frame 11. For instance,first part 20 is movably mounted in frame 11 and second part 14 isfixedly mounted in frame 11.

Second part 14, e.g. an extraction plate that may include openingmembers for instance of the type disclosed in EP 512 470 or simply oneor more fluid passages, may be secured in an opening 13 of a support 12that is in turn secured to frame 11 at extremities 11 c of frame arms 11b.

For example, cartridge 1 a;1 b comprises a cup 2 a;2 b and a closingmembrane 4 a;4 b which is sealed on the cup for forming a gastightenclosure containing ground coffee. The membrane of the cartridge formsthe beverage delivery side of the cartridge that is torn in contact witha puncture plate 14. Tearing of membrane 4 a;4 b can be obtained by therise in pressure that takes place in cartridge 1 a;1 b during injectionof water in the cartridge. Membrane 4 a;4 b of the cartridge is soperforated to provide many small apertures from which the beverage canbe released.

Frame 11 may also include a fastening part 11 a for securing frame 11 ina beverage preparation machine.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6a to 7c and 9, unit 10 also comprises a pair ofslides 19 a for guiding any of cartridges 1 a;1 b towards seat 14,20 ina sliding contact of each of said slides 19 a with a cartridge guideformed by cartridge flanges 5 a;5 b of cartridges 1 a;1 b (FIGS. 1a and1b ).

Slides 19 a are configured to guide in sliding contact cartridge guide 5a;5 b that are in the shape of a guide edge 5 a;5 b of cartridges 1 a;1b.

Each of said slides forms a recess 19 a for receiving a guide edge 5 a;5b protruding from cartridge 1 a;1 b. Alternatively, each of slide formsa protrusion for being received in a guide edge recessed in thecartridge; or one of the slides forms a recess and another of the slidesforms a protrusion.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6a to 7c and 9, recesses 19 a are generallyfunnel-shaped to guide cartridge guide edges 5 a;5 b, typically underthe effect of gravity, onto an intermediate stop member 19 b. Such stopmember may be fixed or movable, e.g. elastically movable, to slide 19 tostop cartridge 1 a;1 b upon introduction into recesses 19 a in anintermediate position. By urging first and second parts 14,20 of unit 10together, cartridge 1 a;1 b is relatively moved from the intermediateposition into the extraction position.

In particular, cartridge 1 a;1 b may be relatively moved away from stopmembers 20 when first and second parts 14,20 are urged together so thatcartridge 1 a;1 b does not rest anymore on stop members 19 when parts14,20 are moved apart upon extraction so that cartridge 1 a;1 b may beejected by falling under the effect of gravity. For instance, cartridge1 a;1 b is moved downwards and/or horizontally from the intermediate tothe extraction position. Alternatively, a different arrangement forstopping a cartridge in the intermediate position can be used, e.g.which moves out of the cartridge ejection path after urging parts 14,20together.

Extraction device 10 is shown in FIG. 4 in its cartridge loading and/orejection position and in FIG. 5 in its cartridge extraction position.For reasons of comparison with FIG. 5, in FIG. 4 cartridges 1 a;1 b areillustrated fully received in the a cartridge receptacle formed inmember 33. However, in the cartridge loading and/or ejection position ofextraction device 10, cartridges 1 a;1 b would normally not be locatedin this receptacle. In such a position of extraction device 10,cartridges 1 a;1 b would rather be located in an area between mouth32,34 of the receptacle and part 14. In this case, cartridges 1 a;1 bwould be: a) held inbetween mouth 32,34 of the receptacle and part 14for loading cartridges 1 a;1 b; and b) released from inbetween mouth32,34 of the receptacle and part 14 for ejecting (normally downwards)cartridges 1 a;1 b.

Examples of cartridge handling principles that can be implemented in anextraction unit in accordance with the invention, in particularembodiments of the manner by which the cartridge can be retained in thebrewing unit in position before closure, are disclosed in WO2005/004683, the content of which is hereby included by way ofreference.

Slides 19 a can be relatively moved to be spaced apart selectively by:

-   -   a first distance Da (FIGS. 6a and 7a ) for guiding towards seat        14,20 a first cartridge 1 a having cartridge guide 5 a of such a        first size da (FIG. 1a ) as to be in sliding contact with both        slides 19 a when spaced by first distance Da; and    -   a second distance Db (FIGS. 6b and 7b ) for guiding towards seat        14,20 a second cartridge 1 b having a cartridge guide 5 b of        such a second size db (FIG. 1h ) as to be in sliding contact        with both slides 19 a when spaced by second distance Db.

First distance Da and first size da are normally different,respectively, to second distance Db and second size db, e.g. Da and dacan be smaller than Db and db when cartridge 1 a is smaller thancartridge 1 b, as illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1 b.

At least one of slides 19 a can be part of a member 15 that is movablerelative to the other slide by an actuator 17,21,35 in accordance withthe size da;db of the cartridge guide 5 a;5 b of a cartridge 1 a;1 b tobe guided by the slides.

Member 15 can be pivotable about an axis 16 a to move slides 19 atogether and apart. Axis 16 a can be generally parallel to a directionof sliding along said slide 19 a. Each member 15 can have one or morebows 15 a for mounting members 15 on an arm 11 b of frame 11.

Actuator 17,21,35 may comprise a cam system 17,18, for instancecomprising a pivotable cam 17 b acting on a cam follower 18 fixed orintegral with member 15. Cam 17 b may be in the shape of a pivotablymounted plate having a variable radius to move cam-follower 18 in aposition depending on the angular position of cam 17 b. Each slide 19 amay be delimited by a respective member 15 that has a cam-follower 18,pivotable cam 17 b acting on cam 18 of each member 15. The or eachcam-follower 18 can be urged against cam 17 b by a biasing spring 18 a.

For instance, the cam system comprises a transmission member 17 integralor fixed to cam 17 b and having a connector 17 a engaging with a slideselector 35. Slide selector 35 can be movable, in particular rotatable,between a first selector position (FIGS. 6a and 7a ) corresponding to aselection of the first distance Da spacing the slides 19 a and a secondselector position (FIGS. 6b and 7b ) corresponding to a selection of thesecond distance Db spacing slides 19 a. Connector 17 a may form aconnector pin 17 a engaging with a selector channel 36 a,36 b or forminga connector channel engaging with a selector pin. Selector or connectorchannel 36 a,36 b may have a general funnel shape with a larger inlet 36b for facilitating the entry into channel 36 a of pin 17 a.

Slide selector 35 can be movable, in particular translationally, betweenan active selector position (FIGS. 6a, 6b and 7a ) for selectingselectively first and second distances Da,Db spacing slides 19 a and aninactive selector position (FIGS. 6c and 7c ) in which slide selector 35is disengaged from connector 17 a of transmission member 17.

Connector 17 a may form:

-   a) a connector pin 17 a engaging with a selector channel 36 a,36 b    having an open end 36 b:    -   out of which connector pin 17 a escapes when slide selector 35        is moved to the inactive position; and    -   into which the connector pin 17 a enters when the slide selector        35 is moved to the active selector position,

or (not shown)

-   b) a connector channel engaging with a selector pin, the connector    channel having an open end:    -   out of which the selector pin escapes when the slide selector is        moved to the inactive position; and    -   into which the selector pin enters when the slide selector is        moved to the active selector position.

Cartridge seat can be delimited by a first part 20 and second part 14that are relatively movable between a cartridge extraction position anda cartridge loading and/or ejection position. Parts 14,20 may be movedmanually or automatically, e.g. as taught in WO 2005/004683,WO2007/135136, WO 2009/043630, WO 2012/025258 or WO 2012/025259.

One of these delimiting parts 14;20 may comprise slide selector 35.Slide selector 35 may be movable, when the first and second delimitingparts 14;20 are in the loading and/or ejection position, between a firstselector position (FIG. 6a ) corresponding to a selection of the firstdistance Da spacing the slides 19 a and a second selector position (FIG.6b ) corresponding to a selection of the second distance Db spacingslides 19 a.

Cartridge seat can be delimited by a first part 20 and a second part 14that are relatively movable between a cartridge extraction position(FIG. 5) and a cartridge loading and/or ejection position (FIG. 4) overa closure distance Ca,Cb. As illustrated in FIG. 4, Ca and Cb maygenerally correspond to the distance between mouth 32,34 of seat 20 andsecond part 14 when first and second parts 14,20 are in the loadingand/or ejection position. At least one of the delimiting parts 14;20, inparticular a delimiting part 20 comprising a slide selector 35, may havea first member 30 and a second member 33 that are relatively movable,for instance in a telescopic manner, e.g. by a depth selector 25 (movingbetween first and second selector positions and vice versa), between:

-   -   a first member position (FIG. 3a and top of FIGS. 4 and 5)        delimiting a cartridge cavity (or receptacle) of a first depth        Ha for receiving cartridge 1 a having first height ha; and    -   a second member position (FIG. 3b and bottom of FIGS. 4 and 5)        in which the cartridge cavity (or receptacle) has a second depth        Hb different to said first depth Ha for receiving cartridge 1 b        having second height hb different to first height ha.

First member 30 and second member 33 may be configured so that, in theextraction position of extraction unit 10, axis 6 a of cartridge 1 a inthe cartridge cavity of the first member position is generally at thesame position as axis 6 b of cartridge 1 b in the cartridge cavity ofthe second member position. See FIGS. 4 and 5.

Depth selector 25 can be fixed to or formed integrally with slideselector 35.

At least one of delimiting parts 14;20 may have a shifter 21,35,38(FIGS. 3a to 9), in particular a motorized shifter having a motor 21,for compensating a displacement of the first and second members 30,33between first and second member positions so as to maintain the closuredistance Ca for the first member position equal to the closure distanceCb for the second member position. In particular, shifter 21,35,38comprises a closure selector 35,38 connected to an actuator 39 (FIGS. 3ato 5) for relatively moving first and second parts 14,20 between thecartridge extraction position (FIG. 5) and the cartridge loading and/orejection position (FIG. 4).

Support 22 may include an opening 23 through or into which actuator 39,e.g. a drive rod or drive pins, may extend. Support 22 may move back andforth relative to actuator 39 along opening 23 between the first andsecond member positions, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Hence, an extensionof one delimiting part 20 towards the other part 14 or a retraction ofsuch delimiting part 20 from the other part 14 may be compensated by adisplacement of actuator 39 relative to at least one of parts 14,20 soas to maintain the same closing distance Ca,Cb whether parts 14,20 arein the first member position or in the second member position. In thiscase, distance Ca,Cb spacing parts 14,20 (with part 14 on reference line100) in the loading and/or ejection position can remain the same.Likewise, the position of actuator 39 (on reference line 201) may remainthe same in the first and second member positions. However, support 22is moved in a direction opposite to the movement of the mouth 32,34 ofpart 20 to compensate the displacement of the mouth. Hence, whileactuator 39 can remain at the same location in the cartridge loadingand/or ejection position, the position of part 20 (in particular support22) may be adjusted relative to actuator 39 to compensate thedisplacement the extension or retraction of the receptacle of part 20for receiving cartridge 1 a,1 b.

Actuator 39 may be a manual and/or a motorized actuator. A manualactuator is for instance disclosed in WO2007/135136 or in WO2009/043630. A motorized actuator is for example disclosed in EP1767129or in WO 2012/025258. For instance, actuator 39 may be driven by a motorthat is powered by a power arrangement that also powers motor 21.

Closure selector 35,38 can be rotatably or pivotally mounted in or at aperiphery of its delimiting parts 14;20. In particular, the closureselector 35,38 is annularly mounted, e.g. on a support 22. Closureselector 35,38 can have a gear and/or cam transmission, in particular ahelicoidal cam 38 cooperating with a cam-follower 39, e.g. actuator 39,for shifting its delimiting part 20 relatively to the other delimitingpart 14 and to actuator 39.

Closure selector 35,38 may be fixed to or integral with the depthselector 25,26. For instance, closure selector 35,38 is fixed to thedepth selector 25,28 by one or more axially extending peripheral arms37, such as one or more arms extending over a support 22 of one of saidfirst and second parts 14,20. Such support 22 may serve to support amotor 21 of closure selector 35,38 and depth selector 25,28.

Extraction unit 10 typically comprises an actuator 21,25, in particulara motorized actuator having a motor 21, for relatively moving first andsecond members 30,33 from the first to the second member position and/orvice versa depending on the dimension da,ha;db,hb of cartridge 1 a;1 bto be received in seat 30,33,14 and extracted.

Advantageously, shifter 21,35,38 and actuator 21,25 are motorized by thesame motor 21.

Actuator 17,21,35 of slides may be coordinated, in particularmechanically and/or electrically, with shifter 21,35,38. Optionally,actuator 17,21,35 of the slides and of the shifter have a common drivearrangement such as a common motor 21.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3a to 5, first member 30 may extend peripherallyrelatively to second member 33. In particular, the first member extendsgenerally annularly, and is movable, e.g. axially, about or into and outfrom second member 33 between the first and second member positions.

First member 30 may have a generally cylindrical or frusto-conical orfrusto-domical inner surface for receiving large cartridge 1 b, whenfirst and second members 30,33 are in the second member position. Theinner surface extends typically about section 2 b′ of large cartridge 1b in the cartridge extraction position. Part 2 b′ may have an outershape that generally matches this inner surface or that is confinedwithin such surface.

Second member 33 may have a generally cylindrical or conical or domicalinner surface for receiving a correspondingly shaped part 2 a,3 a;2 b,3b of a cartridge 1 a;1 b.

Actuator 21,25 can be configured to relatively move the first and secondmembers 30,33 from the first to the second member position and/or viceversa when first part 30,33 and second part 12,13 are:

-   -   in the cartridge loading and/or ejection position (FIGS. 6a, 6b        and 7a ); or close thereto for instance    -   at a relative distance of more than 70%, in particular more than        85%, of the distance Ca,Cb spacing the first and second parts        30,33;12,13 in the cartridge loading and/or ejection position        (FIGS. 4 and 7 b).

Such actuator 21,25 may include a depth selector 25,26 for relativelymoving first and second members 30,33 from the first to the secondmember position and/or vice versa and change the depth of the receptaclefor receiving cartridges 1 a;1 b. Selector 25,26 can be movably mounted,in particular rotatably or pivotally mounted, to one 33 of the first andsecond members 30,33 and drive the other 30 of the first and secondmembers 30,33 e.g. via a gear and/or cam transmission, in particular viaa helicoidal cam 26 cooperating with a cam-follower 31.

Closure selector 35,38 can be fixed to or integral with depth selector25,26. Closure selector 35,38 may be fixed to the depth selector 25,28by one or more axially extending peripheral arms 37. Such arm(s) 37 mayextend over a support 22 of one 20 of first and second parts 14,20.Support 22 may also serve to support motor 21 of closure selector 35,38and depth selector 25,28.

Shifter 21,35,38 and actuator 21,25 can advantageously be motorized bythe same motor 21.

Likewise, the actuator of the slides 17,21,35 may be coordinated withthe actuator 21,25 of first and second members 30,33. In particular,slide actuator 17,21,35 and member actuator 21,25 have a common drivearrangement such as a common motor 21.

In the particular embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 3a to 5, motor 21 isprovided to drive:

-   -   slides 19 a to be spaced apart selectively by first distance Da        and second distance Db;    -   first and second members 30,33 of first delimiting part (20)        from the first member position to the second member position,        and vice versa; and    -   at least one of delimiting parts 14,20 for shifting thereof to        maintain closure distance Ca;Cb the same in aid first member        position and said second member position.

In a variation it is of course possible to use different driving meansfor driving these three aspects and/or use manual or purely mechanicaldriving means.

The identification of the relevant dimension da,ha;db,hb of cartridge 1a;1 b can be carried out manually or automatically, e.g. by amechanical, optical, electric, electromechanical, etc. . . . sensingsystem.

Motor 21 is shown in FIGS. 3a to 4 and hidden in FIGS. 6a to 7c (motor21 being located below selector 35 in the latter figures).

Motor 21 may be powered by a power supply controlled by an automaticsensing of the dimensions of a cartridge da,ha;db,hb to be used, e.g. bymechanical, optical, electric, electromagnetic sensing. For instance,cartridges of different types are provided with different electricand/or magnetic and/or colour characteristics, e.g. packaging parts ofdifferent cartridge types having different characteristics of suchnature. For examples, the packaging of the cartridges include metallicparts, e.g. aluminium, that diverge between the cartridge types, suchthat the types can be recognised from the characteristics. In oneembodiment, the size of the metallic parts change between the cartridgetypes.

As mentioned above and illustrated in FIGS. 3a to 5, motor 21 may bemounted on a support member 22 of part 20. Motor 21 may have a driveaxis 21′ that engages with a wheel 36, e.g. via a toothed or possibly afriction coupling, of selector 35. Selector 35 may drive selector 25 viaa corresponding connection, e.g. arm connection 27,37. Selectors 25,35may be arranged to turn about support 22, e.g. via a plain bearing.Support 22 may include a switch or other sensor 24 to detect whenselectors 25,35 have been driven into a first or second member positionor when a first or second depth Ha,Hb has been reached. Such a switch orsensor 24 can be connected to the power supply arrangement of motor 21so that the arrangement can detect when the motor has reached anend-of-course position.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An extraction unit for extractingcartridges of two different dimensions, the extraction unit comprising:a seat for receiving the cartridges for extraction thereof in the seat,the seat being defined by a first part and second part that arerelatively movable between a cartridge extraction position and acartridge loading and/or ejection position over a closure distance, thefirst part being extendable and retractable for defining a cartridgecavity having selectively: a first position of the cartridge cavityhaving a first depth for receiving a first cartridge having a firstheight; a second position of the cartridge cavity having a second depthdifferent from the first depth for receiving a second cartridge having asecond height different from the first height; the first and secondparts have a shifter for compensating extension and retraction of thefirst part to maintain the closure distance for the first position equalto the closure distance for the second position; and a pair of slidesconfigured to guide any of the cartridges toward the seat in a slidingcontact of each of the slides with a cartridge guide of the cartridges,the cartridge guide comprises at least one guide edge of the cartridges,wherein: each of the slides forms a recess for receiving a guide edgeprotruding from the cartridges; each of the slides forms a protrusionfor being received in a guide edge recessed in the cartridges; or one ofthe slides forms such a recess and another of the slides forms such aprotrusion.
 2. The unit of claim 1, wherein the first part has a firstmember and a second member that define the cartridge cavity and that arerelatively movable to retract and extend the first part between thefirst position in which the cartridge cavity has the first depth forreceiving the first cartridge having the first height; and the secondposition in which the cartridge cavity has the second depth differentfrom the first depth for receiving the second cartridge having thesecond height different from the first height.
 3. The unit of claim 2,comprising an actuator for relatively moving the first and secondmembers from the first position to the second position and/or vice versadepending on the dimension of a cartridge to be received in the seat andextracted.
 4. The unit of claim 3, wherein the actuator comprises adepth selector for relatively moving the first and second members fromthe first position to the second position and/or vice versa, theselector being movably mounted to one of the first and second membersand driving the other of the first and second members via a gear and/orcam transmission.
 5. The unit of claim 3, wherein the shifter and theactuator are motorized by the same motor.
 6. The unit of claim 1,wherein the shifter comprises a closure selector connected to anactuator for relatively moving the first and second parts between thecartridge extraction position and the cartridge loading and/or ejectionposition.
 7. The unit of claim 6, wherein the closure selector isrotatably or pivotally mounted in or at a periphery of the first andsecond parts.
 8. The unit of claim 6, wherein the closure selector has agear and/or cam transmission for shifting at least one of the first andsecond parts relatively to the actuator.
 9. The unit of claim 6, whereinthe closure selector is fixed to or integral with the depth selector.10. The unit of claim 9, wherein the closure selector is fixed to thedepth selector by one or more axially extending peripheral arms.
 11. Theunit of claim 1, wherein the slides are relatively movable to be spacedapart selectively by: a first distance for guiding towards the seat thefirst cartridge of the cartridges having a cartridge guide of such afirst size as to be in sliding contact with both slides when spaced bythe first distance; and a second distance for guiding towards the seatthe second cartridge of the cartridges having a cartridge guide of sucha second size as to be in sliding contact with both slides when spacedby the second distance; and the first distance and the first size beingdifferent, respectively, to the second distance and the second size. 12.The unit of claim 11, wherein at least one of the slides is defined by amember that is movable relative to the other slide by an actuator inaccordance with the size of the cartridge guide of a cartridge to beguided by the slides.
 13. The unit of claim 12, wherein the actuator iscoordinated with the shifter.
 14. A combination of an extraction unitcomprising a seat, a first cartridge receivable in the seat and having afirst height, and a second cartridge receivable in the seat and having asecond height different from the first height, the seat is defined by afirst part and second part which are relatively movable between acartridge extraction position and a cartridge loading and/or ejectionposition over a closure distance, the first part being extendable andretractable for defining a cartridge cavity having selectively: a firstposition of the cartridge cavity having a first depth for receiving acartridge having a first height; a second position of the cartridgecavity having a second depth different to the first depth for receivinga cartridge having a second height different from the first height; atleast one of the first and second parts having a shifter forcompensating the extension and retraction of the first part to maintainthe closure distance for the first position equal to the closuredistance for the second position; and the extraction unit comprises apair of slides configured to guide any of the cartridges toward the seatin a sliding contact of each of the slides with a cartridge guide of thecartridges, the cartridge guide comprises at least one guide edge of thecartridges, wherein: each of the slides forms a recess for receiving aguide edge protruding from the cartridges; each of the slides forms aprotrusion for being received in a guide edge recessed in thecartridges; or one of the slides forms such a recess and another of theslides forms such a protrusion.
 15. The combination of claim 14, whereinthe cartridge has a generally cup-shaped body that is extended on atleast one side of the cartridge by a protruding cartridge guide.
 16. Amethod for providing a combination for preparing a product, the methodcomprising: providing an extraction unit having a seat defined by afirst part and second part; providing a first cartridge receivable inthe seat and having a first height; and providing a second cartridgereceivable in the seat and having a second height different from thefirst height, the first part being extendable and retractable fordefining a cartridge cavity having selectively: a first position of thecartridge cavity has a first depth for receiving the first cartridgehaving the first height; and a second position of the cartridge cavityhas a second depth different from the first depth for receiving thesecond cartridge having the second height different from the firstheight; and at least one of the first and second parts having amotorized shifter having a motor for compensating the extension andretraction of the first part to maintain a closure distance for thefirst position equal to a closure distance for the second position whenthe seat contains selectively the first cartridge of the first heightand the second cartridge of the second height; the extraction unitcomprising a pair of slides configured to guide any of the cartridgestoward the seat in a sliding contact of each of the slides with acartridge guide of the cartridges, the cartridge guide comprises atleast one guide edge of the cartridges, wherein: each of the slidesforms a recess for receiving a guide edge protruding from thecartridges; each of the slides forms a protrusion for being received ina guide edge recessed in the cartridges; or one of the slides forms sucha recess and another of the slides forms such a protrusion.